CLINICAL AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN SUSPECTED VIRAL MYOCARDITIS OF PUPS

Surviving puppies from three separate litters in which deaths had occurred from suspected viral myocarditis were examined clinically and electrocardiographically. Of 11 puppies examined, 5 subsequently died or were euthanised within 11 days of initial examination. ECG changes present in these puppies for 1 to 11 days prior to death were small R waves (less than 0.4 mV in lead II), S-T segment elevation, QRS notching and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (PVT). No clinical signs referable to the ECG changes were present before the terminal episodes of apparent sudden death or death following a brief period of dyspnoea. Multifocial subacute myocarditis was present on post-mortem examination. A sixth puppy with small R waves remained clinically normal for a further 4 weeks. It then developed severe dyspnoea which persisted for 24 hours before euthanasia. Extensive fibrosis of the left ventricle was present on post-mortem examination.     

SUSPECTED DRUG-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA ASSOCIATED WITH LEVAMISOLE THERAPY IN A DOG

The development of petechial haemorrhages was observed in a dog being treated with levamisole hydrochloride for dirofilariasis. Thrombocytopenia and evidence of depressed thrombocyte production were apparent concurrently. The dog recovered without specific therapy.     

ASYSTOLE ASSOCIATED WITH IOHEXOL MYELOGRAPHY IN A DOG

This is areport of a 10-year-old female neutered Doberman Pinscher with a clinical diagnosis of myelopathy. The dog was anesthetized using oxymorphone, thiopental, and halothane in oxygen for a cerebrospinal tap and a myelogram. Iohexsal injection into the subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture was uneventful. Additional iohexal was given into the cerebellomjedullary cistern. Immediately following iohexal administration into the cerebellomedullary cistern, several electrocardiographic changes occurred. Two extended periods of asystole responded to intravenous glycopyrrolate administration. A slow multiform ventricular escape rhythm was established after the second dose of glycopyrrolate. Ultimately, atrial activity with apparent A V dissociation resumed, atrial fibrillation developed, and the rhythm converted to normal sinus rhythm. The dog had a normal cardiac examination the following day. Two days later, the dog was anesthetized using a similar anesthetic regimen with maintance on isoflurane in oxygen for a hemilaminectomy. The dog recovered uneventfully from surgery and was discharged 2 days later.     

HYPERTROPHIC OSTEOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH PULMONARY BLASTOMYCOSIS IN A DOG

Hypertrophic osteopathy (HO) associated with pulmonary blastomycosis was diagnosed in a 5–year-old male mixed-breed dog. One year prior to referral, increased pulmonary opacity had been identified on radiographs made during an examination for a chronic cough. Although serologic tests for blastomycosis were negative, the dog was treated with oral ketoconozole on the basis of suspicious lesions seen on radiographs and clinical signs. Ten months after completing the ketoconozole therapy, the dog was presented for a persistent cough and lameness. Intrapulmonary masses and periosteat proliferation were observed radiographically. A biopsy of the pulmonary masses was done, and Blastomyces dermatitidis was identified. Amphotericin B and ketoconozole administration resulted in clinical improvement and partial resolution of the HO lesions five months after initiation of therapy.     

PNEUMOCOELOM ASSOCIATED WITH SERRATOSPICULUM AMACULATA IN A BALD EAGLE

Serratospiculum amaculata Nemutodes were identified radiographically in the air sacs of an eagle which developed acute respiratory distress several days after treatment for severe head trauma. The nematodes were found at necropsy within the air sacs and lungs. One of the nematodes was found protruding through a hole in the lung. Although this parasite was reported in a falcon which died post operatively this is the first report of death in an eagle related to the presence of this parasite and is also the first time the parasite itself has been observed in a raptor antemortem.     

山东省山羊猝死症病因病性研究

采用流行病学调查、毒物检测及微生物学检验等方法，对山羊猝死症的病因病性进行了系统研究。结果证明，本病是由病原菌所致。致病菌为革兰氏阳性杆菌和革兰氏阴性杆菌，经过对这两种菌进行了生化反应等生物学特性研究后，分别鉴定为凝结芽胞杆菌和肺炎克雷伯氏杆菌亚种。实验证明，这两种菌通过协同作用而使山羊发生猝死症。